Only available in a fixed combination, so it's hard to change the doses of either medication on its own.

If you become pregnant, your doctor will need to change the medication since it can cause birth defects.

Even though Azor (Amlodipine / Olmesartan) works well, it's usually not the first choice for treating high blood pressure since doctors often try other medications on their own before giving you two (in one pill) right away.

Can't be used with simvastatin (Zocor), a cholesterol lowering medication.

Only available as brand medication, so it can be somewhat pricey.

How it works

Azor (Amlodipine / Olmesartan) is a combination of two medications that lower blood pressure, amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and olmesartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker). They both relax blood vessels in different ways, which causes blood pressure to go down.

Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.

FDA pregnancy category for Azor

DWeigh risks vs. benefits

Price

Only available as brand medication, so it can be somewhat pricey.

Kidneys and liver

There have been reports of people having kidney damage or failure while on Azor (Amlodipine / Olmesartan), usually when they've also had diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea. Stay hydrated to prevent this from happening, or call your doctor if you're suddenly unable to urinate as well.

Weight

There have been cases of people suffering diarrhea with weight loss months or years after taking Azor (Amlodipine / Olmesartan). This is very rare, but talk to your doctor if you get diarrhea without a known cause.